The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-02-10
Letter from Angus ta.
Correspondence of the J ournal


| AUGUSTA, Feb !, 1887. The Legislature has got
down to solid work and we may look for much i'm
portant legislation during the remainder of the
session. We Ind the Waldo delegation in god
spirits and enjoying life at the Capital. Senator
Rich has been the sick list week or so but is
now himself again. There quite number
here besides the Waldo members with whom we
are personally acquainted and among them Repre-
sentative Newbert and Senator Gushee, both of
Appleton and Representative Bryant of Pittsfell.
The shrewd face of Perham S. Head, member of
the House, whom used to see so often while at
school in Waterville, looked very familiar. OF
course water always finds its level and we were
very soon after arriving at the Capitol vigorously
shaking hands with the only Prohibitonist in the
Legislature, stephen c. T. Smith of Westfeld. We
found Mr.. Smith full of talk in regard to the party
of the future. He spoke of voting for the Father
of Prohibition of Maine for United States Senator
with PRIDE and claims that the supreme issue in
American politics to-day is the Prohibition of the
liquor traffic.
If one takes deep interest in politics and in the
living issues of the day he find better place
| to enjoy himself, at present, than at Augusta.
Here you will hear the temperance question, the
| labor question, the woman suffrage movement and
other important issues discussed. The question of
full suffrage for woman is one that interests me
very much and am glad to state to the readers of
the Journal that great number of the members of
the Legislature are earnest woman suflragiss.
There are other members, however who think that
woman influence can be just as potent in the pri
Vacy OF home as in the gaze Of the public and they
say if we submit this constitutional amendment to
the vote of the people it cannot be carried at the
polls in 1883. The writer believes that it can he
carried, for the women Of our state are in earnest
and the cause they advocate is gaining ground
with great rapldity. GOV. Ames of Massachusetts
recommended woman suffrage in his inaugural adj
dress, and prize for the best essay the suffrage
question has been offered [or the first time) to the
students of the Harvard Annex. 1t is said that the
temperance mayor of Toronto, Canada, owes his
reelection to the women. they having polled u
large vote fer him, and there is an increase over
the last year of thirty members in the Parliament
of England who favor the womans franchise bill.
The women of this state and of this nation have Il
mighty influence and if they could have the ballot
would purify politics and increase the vote on the
right side Give them the ballot in every state in
TIE Union and assert that the liquor traffic, which
costs our Government S9,000000,G Geo every year,
will go down, rs did the southern Confe,eracy, for
all time.
On Tuesday, FEBRUARY Isl, the temperance PEG
pie gathered in full force at the Capitol. Among
the well known temperance men of the state
present, were Gen. Neal Dow of Portland, Geo. j..
Bracket Of Belfast and NJ }. Dow of Brooks. In
| the evening the temperance hearing took place iii
Representative Hall, which well filed with
members ofthe Legislature and citizens of Augusta.
| The speakers OF the evening were Geo +. Bracket
OF Belfast, C. A. Farwell Esq. of Pitt~tied Prof.
f. W. Gowen of Freedom, NJ. j. Dow of Brooks,
Mrs. NJ. l.. n. Stevens OF Stroulwater, Gen. Dow
OF Portland, l.. I. Carleton Esq. of Winthrop and
others. The cider bill was presented in new
drait, greatly to your correspondents delight. "No
cider shall be sold in this State fer tipping
purposes, or to be drank as beverage etc, etc
| maintain that the new cider bill, if it does not
destroy the ciderralic entirely, will greatly aid in
the suppression of the sale for tipping purposes.
| n member said to me the day after the hearing:
| Young man, You will find that there are quite Il
number in the Legislature this winter who will not
favor the cider bill The farmers in the House and
Senate especially. IWish to say, that the farmers
OF Maine will not be hurt by such legislation. The
| better class of farmers who depend sale of
! cider Tor vinegar ana culinary purposes will be
protected by such law. We also asked for certain
DIS and amendments t. the prohibitoiy laws, but
As they have been reported in the leading news
papers OF the State need not 90 into particulars.
The temperance legislation of the SiXtv-Thirl
Legislature of Maine will be closely watched hv
| temperance men of our state
| We found that the hearing before the judiciary
committee on the petition fora new water company
at Bar Harder attracted much attention. the Senate
chamber being crowded with we'll dressed men
and women ON the afternoon Of Feb. LIST. Herbert
NJ. Heath of Augusta is chairman of the judiciary
committee on the part of the Senate and Frederick
a. Powers of Iioulton chairman ior the House
we also found that there was much excitement
over the hearing before the committee on WAYS
and bridges concerning the Pre's and Stroud
water bridges between Portland and Dccring The
hearing took place in Representative Hall ON Feb.
LIST and lasted all the afternoon. We were highly
interested in Judge Svmonis argument for the
city U'ortland). He is fine orator and hs
cadences rose and fell Ike music. The hearing.
was continued in the evening i'll the Judiciary room
and lasted until nearly midnight. Senator Rich is
chairman of this committee. BY the way, hear
Dr. Rich spoken very highly Of all sides ut the
Capitol. He is man of great force and tirecss
| energy. w. GowEN